Particulate collection and analysis

ABSTRACT

Embodiments relate to a system for particulate matter collection and analysis. The embodiments include system components and an associated control system. One or more of the components are dynamically adjustable. Fluid flow is captured by a capture medium positioned relative to a fluid channel, and particulate matter present within the fluid flow is acquired. An image capture device is employed to analyze captured particulate matter. In addition, a modifiable component is provided relative to the capture medium, the fluid channel and the image capture device. The control system is provided in communication with the system components and functions to provide and support dynamic adjustment of one or more of the modifiable component, image capture device, or capture medium in response to the acquired particulate matter and analysis thereof.

BACKGROUND

The present embodiments relate to environmental technology directed atparticulate collection and analysis. More specifically, the embodimentsrelate to a control system and dynamic modification of one or morecomponents associated with the particulate collection and analysis.

Particulate matter, also known as particle pollution, is a term thatdefines an airborne mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets. Someparticles, such as dust, dirt, soot, or smoke, are large or dark enoughto be seen with the naked eye. Others are small and can only be detectedusing a tool, such as an electron microscope. It is understood thatparticles that comprise particulate matters come in different shapes andsizes, and can be made up of different chemicals. Some particles areemitted directly from a source, and some particles form in theatmosphere as a result of complex reactions of chemicals. It is furtherunderstood that when inhaled, particulate matter can cause serioushealth problems.

Data produced from monitoring air quality may be employed to mitigatesuch adverse health effects. For example, pollen may be detected andassociated levels measured to mitigate or prevent allergic reactions.Tools for atmospheric sampling are known and utilized for measurementdata of particulate matter. Such tools include, but are not limited to,continuous volumetric spore traps, and non-volumetric or non-continuousspore traps. However, these known tools have limitations, such asrelying on a manual process with a person counting and identifyingcaptured particulate matter, e.g. material. The manual process is laborintensive and slow. There is a need to automate the process so thatquality control measures can be developed and deployed.

SUMMARY

An apparatus, computer system, and method are provided to deploy anairborne particle monitoring device.

In one aspect, the apparatus includes a body operatively coupled to anassociated control system. The body comprises a fluid inlet in fluidcommunication with an outlet, and a fluid channel adapted to receive afluid flow. At least three other elements are provided with respect tothe body, including a capture medium, an image capture device, and amodifiable component. The capture medium is positioned in communicationwith the fluid channel and functions to acquire a particulate. The imagecapture device is positioned relative to the capture medium andfunctions to analyze particulate acquired by the medium. The modifiablecomponent is positioned relative to the capture medium and relative tothe fluid channel and the image capture device. In addition, a controlsystem is provided in communication with the body. The control systemfunctions to dynamically adjust the modifiable component in response tothe acquired and analyzed particulate.

In another aspect, the system includes a processing unit operativelycoupled to memory, and a system and system components in communicationwith the processing unit. A control system is also provided operativelycoupled to the system and system components. The system is configured tocollect particulate matter. The system comprises an inlet in fluidcommunication with an outlet, and a fluid channel adapted to receive afluid flow. The system also comprises a capture medium, an image capturedevice, and a modifiable component. The capture medium is positionedwithin the body and in communication with the fluid channel, andfunctions to acquire a particulate. The image capture device ispositioned relative to the capture medium, and functions to analyzeparticulate acquired by the medium. The modifiable component is providedin communication with the capture medium, and functions to position thecapture medium relative to the fluid channel and the image capturedevice. The control system dynamically adjusts the modifiable componentresponsive to the acquired and analyzed particulate.

In yet another aspect, the method collects and analyzes particulatematter, and modifies a physically component responsive to the analysis,thereby physically modifying an associated particulate collectionapparatus and/or system. Fluid flow is received across a fluid channel.A capture medium is positioned in communication with the fluid channel,with the capture medium configured to acquire particulate matter. Animage capture device is positioned relative to the capture medium andfunctions to acquire one or more images or data of the capture mediumand to analyze any particulate acquired by the medium. In response tothe acquired and analyzed particulate, a modifiable component incommunication with the capture medium is physically and dynamicallyadjusted. This adjustment includes positioning the capture mediumrelative to the fluid channel and the image capture device.

These and other features and advantages will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description of the presently preferred embodiment(s),taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings referenced herein form a part of the specification.Features shown in the drawings are meant as illustrative of only someembodiments, and not of all embodiments unless otherwise explicitlyindicated.

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram to illustrate an apparatus andassociated configuration and tools to support the capture, measure, andidentification of airborne material.

FIG. 2 depicts a flow chart illustrating functionality of the system andapparatus shown and described in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts a flow chart illustrating functionality of materialdelivery to the fluid channel.

FIG. 4 depicts a flow chart illustrating a process for dynamicallymodifying a position of the material with respect to the fluid channel.

FIG. 5 depicts a flow chart illustrating a process for processingacquired image(s).

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a computersystem/server of a cloud based support system, to implement the processdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 7 depicts a block diagram illustrating a cloud computerenvironment.

FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram illustrating a set of functionalabstraction model layers provided by the cloud computing environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the presentembodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the Figuresherein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of differentconfigurations. Thus, the following detailed description of theembodiments of the apparatus, system, and method of the presentembodiments, as presented in the Figures, is not intended to limit thescope of the embodiments, as claimed, but is merely representative ofselected embodiments.

Reference throughout this specification to “a select embodiment,” “oneembodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present embodiments. Thus,appearances of the phrases “a select embodiment,” “in one embodiment,”or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specificationare not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.

The illustrated embodiments will be best understood by reference to thedrawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout.The following description is intended only by way of example, and simplyillustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, andprocesses that are consistent with the embodiments as claimed herein.

An aspirated enclosure is provided to direct fluid and associated fluidflow at a capture medium. A control system is operatively coupled to theaspirated enclosure to facilitate and enable capturing, measuring, andidentifying airborne material. The control system regulates fluid flowat a controlled medium to capture particles, with measurement andidentification being handled by a combination of one or more lightreflectance sensors and computer image processing. In one embodiment,the capture medium is moveable and the aspiration rate is variable.Results associated with the measurement and identification data arelogged locally and/or remotely across a network connection.

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram (100) is provided to illustratean apparatus and associated configuration and tools to support thecapture, measure, and identification of airborne material. As shown, theapparatus is provided with a physical form shown herein as a body (110),e.g. enclosure. An inlet (122) and an outlet (132) are provided toaccommodate fluid flow. As shown, the inlet (122) and outlet (132) arepositioned on opposite walls of the body. More specifically, the inlet(122) is positioned on a first wall (120), and the outlet (132) ispositioned on a second wall (130). Arrows are provided to illustratefluid flow. As shown, fluid enters the body (110) through the inlet at(122), and exits the body (110) through the outlet (132). In oneembodiment, the fluid follows a path (112) through the body (110),although the path (112) is not fixed within a physical conduit withinthe body (110). The path (112) is referred to herein as a fluid channel.In one embodiment, fluid channel (112) is a physical conduit withconduit walls. Similarly, in one embodiment, the confines of the fluidchannel (112) are set by the confines of interior walls of the body(110). Accordingly, the inlet and outlet, (122) and (132), respectively,are positioned relative to the body to facilitate and enable fluid flowthrough the enclosure across the fluid channel (112).

A material (140) in the form of a capture medium is positioned withinthe enclosure (110) and in communication with the fluid channel (112).The purpose and function of the material (140) is to acquire and collectparticulate matter present in the fluid channel (112). In oneembodiment, the material (140) has an external layer (142) comprised ofan adhesive material or a material with adhesive properties. Theseadhesive characteristics enable the material (140) to capture andacquire particulate matter flowing across the fluid channel (112).Particulate matter may come in different forms, including but notlimited to, pollen, dust, insets, asbestos fiber, etc., or various otherelements present in the form of airborne material. The material (140) ispositioned proximal to a set of feeders (144) and (146), with thematerial (140) forming a capture platform. The feeders (144) and (146)are each configured to rotate, as shown by the represented arrows, (144a) and (146 a), respectively. In the example shown herein, each feederis shown to rotate in a clockwise direction, although the direction ofthe rotation should not be considered limiting. As the feeders (144) and(146) rotate, the material (140) is presented to the fluid channel(112). In one embodiment, the presentation of the material (140) allowsnew material to be presented to the fluid channel (112) to captureparticulate matter not previously captured. Accordingly, material (140)is configured to be fed into and presented to the fluid channel (112).

As shown herein, the enclosure (110), and more specifically theassociated body, is comprised of side walls (120) and (130), andproximally positioned walls (160) and (170). In the example shownherein, walls (160) and (170) are positioned perpendicular to walls(120) and (130). For ease of description, walls (160) and (170) arereferred to herein as bottom and top walls, respectively, although thisdescription should not be considered limiting. The material (140) andthe associated material presentation mechanisms (144) and (146) areshown positioned relative to the wall (160). More specifically, feeder(144) is shown positioned adjacent to the wall (160), while feeder (146)is shown positioned relative to wall (130) and spaced apart from wall(160). The positioning of the feeders (144) and (146) is merely anexample and should not be considered limiting. In one embodiment, theposition of one or both of the feeders (144) and (146) may be modified.For example, in one embodiment, both feeders (144) and (146) may bepositioned adjacent to and in communication with the wall (160) to forma horizontal or relatively horizontal positioning of the material (140).Similarly, and as shown herein, the position of the feeder (146) createsan angular position, a (148), of the material (140) relative to the wall(160). The position of one or both of the feeders (144) and (146) may beindividually or independently modified. In one embodiment, themodification may be manual or automated. The position of the feeders(144) and (146) dictates the angular position of the material (140),together with the position of the material relative to the fluid channel(112). Accordingly, the position of the material (140) is modifiablewith respect to the fluid channel (112) and the associated fluid flow.

An image capture device (172) is positioned in the enclosure (110)relative to the material (140). In one embodiment, the image capturedevice may be a camera. The image capture device (172) is configured tocapture images of the material (140) and to measure reflected light. Theimage capture device (172) is connected to a control system (174), alsoreferred to herein interchangeably as a micro-controller. In oneembodiment, the control system (174) is located remote or separate fromthe enclosure (110) and associated image capture device (172), and isoperatively coupled to the enclosure (110) and associated tools via anetwork connection (176). The image capture device (172) may be referredto as a particle monitoring device, detector or machine. It isunderstood that the image capture device (172) employs one or moretechniques to capture and analyze particulate matter. In one embodiment,the image capture device (172) captures one or more images, such as, butnot limited to, pictures, photographs, or snapshots, of the material(140) to acquire data related to any captured particulate matter. Theimage capture device (172) may have embedded functionality to analyzeand examine captured particulate matter, or in one embodiment, the imagecapture device (172) may be operatively coupled to a tool, such as thecontrol system (174) positioned locally or remotely, configured toidentify different types of particulate based on their morphology, e.g.,color, shape, texture, size, openings, or combinations thereof. It isunderstood that different particles may have different light absorbingcharacteristics, with some particles absorbing specific wavelengths andothers reflecting different wavelengths. In one embodiment, a computerimage algorithm (178) is operatively coupled to the image capture device(172) and the associated control system, with the algorithm (178) togather particulate data, such as, but not limited to, particulate countand species identification. In one embodiment, the computer imagealgorithm may be, but is not limited to, a computer vision algorithm.Accordingly, as particulate matter is acquired by and saturates thematerial (140), the image capture device (172) measures characteristicsof the saturated material (140).

The image capture device (172) is operatively connected to the controlsystem, shown locally as the micro-controller (174), and the networkconnection (176). The micro-controller (174) measures data acquired fromthe image capture device (172). In one embodiment, the micro-controller(174) measures reflected light from photographs. Similarly, in oneembodiment, the micro-controller (174) sets or modifies an interval forthe image capture device (172) to acquire images, e.g. take photographs,of the saturated material (140). As shown, printer (162) is positionedproximal to the material (140) and the inlet (122). The printer (162) isconfigured to physically apply indicia (166) to the material (140)thereby creating a physical recordation of the particulate. For example,in one embodiment, the indicia include data with respect to date andtime. The indicia are fixed to the material (140). If the material (140)is separated from the image capture device or any other tool, a physicalrecord of recordation characteristics is embedded or attached to thematerial (140). One of the goals and functions of the enclosure (110)and associated tools is to capture data directed at particulate matter,and to preserve a record of the associated data. Accordingly,particulate data may be physically maintained on one or more tangiblemediums, including the physical material (140) and an image on acomputer readable medium created by the image capture device (172).

As shown, a fluid flow apparatus (164), also referred to herein as afan, is shown positioned within the enclosure (110). The fluid flowapparatus (164) functions to control or modify a fluid flow rate acrossthe fluid channel (112). In one embodiment, the fluid flow rate may bestatic, or in another embodiment, the fluid flow rate may be dynamic.For example, in one embodiment, a setting of the apparatus (164) may bemodified, such as an adjustment of an associated fan speed, whicheffectively adjusts a rate of fluid flow across the fluid channel (112).The apparatus (164) is operatively coupled to the control system (174).In one embodiment, the control system (174) sets or changes the fanspeed, or in one embodiment the fan orientation, of the apparatus (164),thereby controlling the fluid flow rate across the channel (112). In oneembodiment, any such setting or changes to the settings of the apparatus(164) are responsive to data acquired by the image capture device (172),and in one embodiment, analyzed by the micro-controller (174).Accordingly, modification of the fluid flow apparatus (164) is dynamicand responsive to saturation of the material (140) and associatedparticulate saturation data.

In addition to control of the fan (164) and associated fan speed, thecontrol system (174) is operatively coupled to the feeders (144) and(146) and the material (140). As data directed at acquired particulatematerial is gathered and analyzed, the position of the material (140)may be dynamically changed. For example, the material (140) may besaturated, or in one embodiment over-saturated, and the feeders (144)and (146) may be actuated to deliver fresh material (140), e.g.non-saturated material, to the fluid channel (112). In one embodiment,the feeders (144) and (146) may rotate at a set rate of rotation, withthe saturation or non-saturation dictating any changes to the rate ofrotation that may need to be modified by the control system (174). Inaddition to the rotation rate of the feeders (144) and (146), theangular position of the first feeder (144) with respect to the secondfeeder (146) may be modified, thereby changing the angular position ofthe material (140) with respect to the fluid channel (112). For example,in one embodiment, the control system (174) may raise or lower thevertical position of the feeders (144) and (146), either independentlyor in conjunction. Accordingly, the feeders (144) and (146), theirposition(s), and their rate(s) of rotation may be dynamically adjustedby the control system, thereby changing the position of the material(140).

The enclosure (110) together with the tools and operatively coupledcomponents provide a system and apparatus to collect particulate matterand to support analysis thereof. In one embodiment, the enclosure (110)is referred to as an aspirated enclosure. The collection is automatedvia the image capture device (172), micro-controller (174), networkconnection (176), as well as the dynamically adjustable fan (164) andthe feeders (144) and (146). The data from the particulate matterattached to the material (140) is acquired by the image capture device(172) and analyzed via an algorithm, including but not limited to acomputer image or computer vision algorithm. This analysis is conveyedto the micro-controller (174) which dynamically adjusts one or more ofthe adjustable components that comprise the system. In addition, thematerial (140) creates a physical record for scientific analysis andcompliance auditing. Indicia (166) are physically and permanentlyaffixed to the material (140) to support maintenance of the physicalrecord. The control and delivery of the material (140) may be directedat the rate in which the material is presented to the fluidcommunication channel and/or the position of the presentation. Forexample, in one embodiment, the delivery rate of the material (140) maybe subject to material inventory. Accordingly, the dynamicallyadjustable elements of the enclosure support and enable dynamic controlof fluid flow and material (140).

Referring to FIG. 2, a flow chart (200) is provided illustratingfunctionality of the system and apparatus shown and described in FIG. 1.Fluid flow enters the fluid channel via a fluid inlet (202). In oneembodiment, the fluid flow may be natural or in one embodimentfacilitate by a fluid flow device, e.g. fan. As shown and described inFIG. 1, the fluid channel may be positioned within an enclosure, or inone embodiment, external to an enclosure. A capture medium is positionedrelative to the fluid channel and proximal to an associated fluid flow(204). In one embodiment, fluid flows across a fluid channel, and thematerial is positioned relative to the channel. The material isconfigured with an adhesive material, such as an epoxy or an epoxyresin. As the fluid encounters the material, particulate matter presentin the fluid attaches and/or adheres to the material (206). It isunderstood that the material may become saturated with particulate, andas such an inventory control mechanism is provided to manage delivery ofthe material to the fluid channel. Details of the material delivery tothe fluid channel are shown and described in FIG. 3. An image capturedevice is operatively coupled to or proximally positioned to thematerial and creates one or more images of the material and any capturedparticulate (208). In one embodiment, the image capture device isactivated in response to the material acquiring particulate. Similarly,in one embodiment, the image capture device creates images at frequentintervals, with the frequency subject to dynamic modification. Followingstep (208), the acquired images are presented to a computer imagealgorithm operatively coupled to the image capture device, so that theacquired images may be analyzed (210). Accordingly, the material issubject to saturation in the fluid channel and a record of thesaturation is maintained in the material and memorialized via the imagecapture device.

Referring to FIG. 3, a flow chart (300) is provided illustratingfunctionality of material delivery to the fluid channel. As shown anddescribed in FIGS. 1 and 2, the material is utilized to physicallygather particulate to be analyzed. The material is delivered to thefluid channel (302). In one embodiment, the material is delivered at arate, which may be dynamically modified. As the material is beingdelivered to the fluid channel, indicia are applied to a surface of thematerial (304). The indicia function to create a physical recordation ofthe particulate. In one embodiment, the indicia include the date andtime in which the material is present in the fluid channel. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, an image capture device is operatively coupled to thematerial, and functions to create one or more images of the materialwith the affixed indicia (306). In one embodiment, the images areacquired at a set or dynamically modifiable frequency. Similarly, in oneembodiment, a computer image algorithm is operatively coupled to theimage capture device, and data attained from the algorithm may be fedinto the image capture device to dynamically modify the imageacquisition functionality. In addition to the image capture deviceadjustment functionality, the image capture device and the associateddata may be employed to dynamically adjust the rate at which thematerial is delivered to the fluid channel. As one or more images of thematerial are processed (308), it is determined if the delivery rate ofthe material inventory needs to be modified or should remain static(310). If it is determined that the delivery rate should remain static,the process returns to step (302). Conversely, if it is determined thatthe delivery rate is subject to modification, the terms of themodification are conveyed to a material control mechanism to adjust thematerial delivery rate (312). In one embodiment, the adjustment changesthe speed of rotation of one or more of the rollers (144) and (146). Itis understood that there may be a finite quantity of material in anassociated inventory and that the material delivery and the deliveryrate may be subject to the remaining inventory. Accordingly, thedelivery of the material to the fluid channel is dynamically modifiable.

In addition to controlling the rate of material delivery to the fluidchannel, the position of the material is also subject to change and/oradjustment. Referring to FIG. 4, a flow chart (400) is provided toillustrate a process for dynamically modifying a position of thematerial with respect to the fluid channel. It is understood that in oneembodiment the fluid channel is amorphous, e.g. not present in a fixedconduit. At the same time, it is critical that the material be presentedto the fluid channel and provided an opportunity to acquire particulatematter. As images of the material are acquired (402) and analyzed (404),a saturation assessment is conducted (406). More specifically, it isdetermined if the gathered material is sufficient, e.g. a sufficientamount of particulate matter, for analysis (408). It is understood thatthe fluid channel may be subject to change, and such change may requirea position change of the material so that it can meet a minimumsaturation requirement. A positive response to the determination at step(408) is followed by a return to step (402) for continued imagegathering of saturated material. However, a negative response to thedetermination at step (408) is followed by further analysis as topositioning the material (410). For example, in one embodiment, asaturation area of the material may be indicative of the fluid channel.Similarly, in one embodiment, a fan operatively positioned relative tothe material may dictate the location of the fluid channel. Followingthe analysis at step (410), a position of one or both of the rollers ismodified so that the material is present in the fluid channel (412). Inone embodiment, a vertical position of one or both of the rollers may bemodified to change the vertical and/or angular position of the materialwith respect to the fluid channel. Accordingly, as demonstrated theposition of the material with respect to the fluid channel isdynamically modifiable.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image capture device acquires an image of thematerial. Referring to FIG. 5, a flow chart (500) is providedillustrating processing the acquired image(s). As shown, in response tothe image capture device acquiring one or more images (502) and anassociated computer image algorithm is invoked (504). The algorithmessentially processes the images (504). In one embodiment, the algorithmmeasures reflected light. In another embodiment, the algorithm conductsa particulate count, e.g. particulate per square inch, or speciesidentification. These are merely examples of some of the aspects of thecomputer image algorithm, and should not be considered limiting. Asshown in FIG. 1, the image capture device is operatively coupled to acontroller, e.g. micro-controller, also referred to herein as a controlsystem. The controller is shown local to the image capture device, e.g.adjacently positioned. Although in one embodiment, the controller may beoperatively coupled to the image capture device across a networkconnection. Based upon output of the computer algorithm, e.g. computervision or computer image algorithm, it is determined if any dynamicallyconfigurable or adjustable components of the system need to be modified(506). Examples of such components include, but are not limited to, thefan, the roller(s), the image capture device, or the material feedmechanism. In one embodiment, each adjustable component is anaddressable component and has an associated and unique address, so thatany modifications to the component may be separately addressed. Apositive response to the determination at step (506) is followed byidentifying the component, and in one embodiment, the component address(508), and sending associated adjustment or modification instructions tothe identified component (510). Following step (510) or a negativeresponse to the determination at step (506), the process returned tostep (502) for continued assessment. Accordingly, analysis of thematerial takes place at one or more periodic intervals with selectiveand dynamic adjustment to one or more system components, all while thesystem continues to gather and process new particulate data.

The system shown in FIG. 1, and the processes that support the systemfunctionality, as shown and described in FIGS. 2-5, are directed at anaspirate enclosure directing fluid, e.g. air, to a capture medium, e.g.sticky paper. The capture medium is held relative to motorized rollers,thereby allowing the exposed fluid medium to be captured and preservedon a tangible medium via saturation with particulate matter. The imagecapture device captures images of the saturated medium, and anassociated computer image algorithm conducts measurements of materialimages. Output from the measurements, e.g. readings, can be loggedlocally, or in one embodiment transmitted via a network connection forreview and storage at a remote location. A controller, or in oneembodiment, a control system, is operatively coupled to the algorithmand the dynamically modifiable system components. One or more of thecomponents are dynamically adjusted. For example, the rollers can be setto move the medium to a new segment at a set interval, responsive to asaturation level, responsive to material supply inventory, etc.Similarly, the air flow mechanism may need to adjust the airflow rateacross the material depending on sampling needs or environmentalconditions. Accordingly, the system and associated processes provide aplatform for dynamic particulate collection and analysis.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, particulate collection and analysis takes placelocally and/or remotely. The system components, also referred to hereinas tools, are dynamically adjustable, and in one embodiment separatelyaddressable thereby supporting independent and dynamic adjustment.Although in some embodiments a single component modification isdemonstrated, it is understood that multiple modifications on one ormore components responsive to the image analysis of the saturatedmaterial may be applied. Accordingly, the system and supporting methodsprovide dynamically responsive particulate collection and analysis.

Aspects of dynamic environment shown and described in FIGS. 1-5 employone or more functional tools to support particulate collection. Aspectsof functional tool(s) of the system may be operatively coupled to acomputer system/server in a single location, or in one embodiment, maybe configured in a cloud based system sharing computing resources. Withreferences to FIG. 6, a block diagram (600) is provided illustrating anexample of a computer system/server (602), hereinafter referred to as ahost (602) in communication with a cloud based support system, toimplement the processes described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5. Host(602) is operational with numerous other general purpose or specialpurpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples ofwell-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations thatmay be suitable for use with host (602) include, but are not limited to,personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients, thickclients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems,microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumerelectronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframe computersystems, and file systems (e.g., distributed storage environments anddistributed cloud computing environments) that include any of the abovesystems, devices, and their equivalents.

Host (602) may be described in the general context of computersystem-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executedby a computer system. Generally, program modules may include routines,programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and so on thatperform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.Host (602) may be practiced in distributed cloud computing environmentswhere tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linkedthrough a communications network. In a distributed cloud computingenvironment, program modules may be located in both local and remotecomputer system storage media including memory storage devices.

As shown in FIG. 6, host (602) is shown in the form of a general-purposecomputing device. The components of host (602) may include, but are notlimited to, one or more processors or processing units (604), a systemmemory (606), and a bus (608) that couples various system componentsincluding system memory (606) to processor (604). Bus (608) representsone or more of any of several types of bus structures, including amemory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an acceleratedgraphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety ofbus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, sucharchitectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, MicroChannel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, VideoElectronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and PeripheralComponent Interconnects (PCI) bus. Host (602) typically includes avariety of computer system readable media. Such media may be anyavailable media that is accessible by host (602) and it includes bothvolatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

Memory (606) can include computer system readable media in the form ofvolatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) (630) and/or cachememory (632). By way of example only, storage system (634) can beprovided for reading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatilemagnetic media (not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Althoughnot shown, a magnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to aremovable, non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and anoptical disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable,non-volatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other opticalmedia can be provided. In such instances, each can be connected to bus(608) by one or more data media interfaces.

Program/utility (640), having a set (at least one) of program modules(642), may be stored in memory (606) by way of example, and notlimitation, as well as an operating system, one or more applicationprograms, other program modules, and program data. Each of the operatingsystems, one or more application programs, other program modules, andprogram data or some combination thereof, may include an implementationof a networking environment. Program modules (642) generally carry outthe functions and/or methodologies of embodiments to data modelingdirected at particulate collection and analysis and output to experiencecontinued particulate collection and physical manifestation ofadjustment of one or more system component and tools to enable andsupport the collection. For example, the set of program modules (642)may include one or more modules configured as computer implemented toolsto support the methods shown and described in FIGS. 2-5.

Host (602) may also communicate with one or more external devices (614),such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a sensory input device, a sensoryoutput device, apparatus (240) etc.; a visual display (624); one or moredevices that enable a user to interact with host (602); and/or anydevices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable host (602) tocommunicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communicationcan occur via Input/Output (I/O) interface(s) (622). Still yet, host(602) can communicate with one or more networks such as a local areanetwork (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a publicnetwork (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter (620). As depicted,network adapter (620) communicates with the other components of host(602) via bus (608). In one embodiment, a plurality of nodes of adistributed file system (not shown) is in communication with the host(602) via the I/O interface (622) or via the network adapter (620). Itshould be understood that although not shown, other hardware and/orsoftware components could be used in conjunction with host (602).Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode, device drivers,redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems,tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

In this document, the terms “computer program medium,” “computer usablemedium,” and “computer readable medium” are used to generally refer tomedia such as main memory (606), including RAM (630), cache (632), andstorage system (634), such as a removable storage drive and a hard diskinstalled in a hard disk drive.

Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored inmemory (606). Computer programs may also be received via a communicationinterface, such as network adapter (620). Such computer programs, whenrun, enable the computer system to perform the features of the presentembodiments as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs,when run, enable the processing unit (604) to perform the features ofthe computer system. Accordingly, such computer programs representcontrollers of the computer system.

In one embodiment, host (602) is a node (610) of a cloud computingenvironment. As is known in the art, cloud computing is a model ofservice delivery for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to ashared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, networkbandwidth, servers, processing, memory, storage, applications, virtualmachines, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and releasedwith minimal management effort or interaction with a provider of theservice. This cloud model may include at least five characteristics, atleast three service models, and at least four deployment models. Exampleof such characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher layerof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some layer ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based email). Theconsumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructureincluding network, servers, operating systems, storage, or evenindividual application capabilities, with the possible exception oflimited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting for loadbalancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an illustrative cloud computing network (900)is presented. As shown, cloud computing network (700) includes a cloudcomputing environment (950) having one or more cloud computing nodes(710) with which local computing devices used by cloud consumers maycommunicate. Examples of these local computing devices include, but arenot limited to, personal digital assistant (PDA) or cellular telephone(754A), desktop computer (754B), laptop computer (754C), and/orautomobile computer system (754N). Individual nodes within nodes (710)may further communicate with one another. They may be grouped (notshown) physically or virtually, in one or more networks, such asPrivate, Community, Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove,or a combination thereof. This allows cloud computing environment (700)to offer infrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for whicha cloud consumer does not need to maintain resources on a localcomputing device. It is understood that the types of computing devices(754A-N) shown in FIG. 7 are intended to be illustrative only and thatthe cloud computing environment (750) can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 8, a set of functional abstraction layers (800)provided by the cloud computing network of FIG. 7 is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 8 are intended to be illustrative only, and the embodiments arenot limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers and correspondingfunctions are provided: hardware and software layer (810),virtualization layer (820), management layer (830), and workload layer(840). The hardware and software layer (810) includes hardware andsoftware components. Examples of hardware components include mainframes,in one example IBM^(®) zSeries^(®) systems; RISC (Reduced InstructionSet Computer) architecture based servers, in one example IBM pSeries^(®)systems; IBM xSeries^(®) systems; IBM BladeCenter^(®) systems; storagedevices; networks and networking components. Examples of softwarecomponents include network application server software, in one exampleIBM WebSphere^(®) application server software; and database software, inone example IBM DB2^(®) database software. (IBM, zSeries, pSeries,xSeries, BladeCenter, WebSphere, and DB2 are trademarks of InternationalBusiness Machines Corporation registered in many jurisdictionsworldwide).

Virtualization layer (820) provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers;virtual storage; virtual networks, including virtual private networks;virtual applications and operating systems; and virtual clients.

In one example, management layer (830) may provide the followingfunctions: resource provisioning, metering and pricing, user portal,service layer management, and SLA planning and fulfillment. Resourceprovisioning provides dynamic procurement of computing resources andother resources that are utilized to perform tasks within the cloudcomputing environment. Metering and pricing provides cost tracking asresources are utilized within the cloud computing environment, andbilling or invoicing for consumption of these resources. In one example,these resources may comprise application software licenses. Securityprovides identity verification for cloud consumers and tasks, as well asprotection for data and other resources. User portal provides access tothe cloud computing environment for consumers and system administrators.Service layer management provides cloud computing resource allocationand management such that required service layers are met. Service LayerAgreement (SLA) planning and fulfillment provides pre-arrangement for,and procurement of, cloud computing resources for which a futurerequirement is anticipated in accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer (840) provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include, but are notlimited to: mapping and navigation; software development and lifecyclemanagement; virtual classroom education delivery; data analyticsprocessing; transaction processing; and dynamic particulate collectionand analysis.

It will be appreciated that there is disclosed herein a system, method,apparatus, and computer program product for collecting and evaluatingparticulate in a fluid channel, modeling the evaluated data, translatingthe evaluated data into product modification, and ascertaining andcommunicating output in the form of dynamic and physical product change.As disclosed, the system, method, apparatus, and computer programproduct apply computer vision algorithm(s) and associated processing tothe particulate analysis. Similarly, the system, method, apparatus andcomputer program product create a physical record for scientificanalysis and/or compliance auditing.

While particular embodiments of the present embodiments have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that,based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from these embodiments and their broader aspects.Therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope allsuch changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scopeof the embodiments. Furthermore, it is to be understood that theembodiments are solely defined by the appended claims. It will beunderstood by those with skill in the art that if a specific number ofan introduced claim element is intended, such intent will be explicitlyrecited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no suchlimitation is present. For non-limiting example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimelements. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim element by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim element to embodiments containing only one suchelement, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “oneor more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an”;the same holds true for the use in the claims of definite articles.

The present embodiments may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. In addition, selected aspects of the presentembodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, anentirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software,micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and/or hardwareaspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,”“module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present embodimentsmay take the form of computer program product embodied in a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent embodiments. Thus embodied, the disclosed system, a method,and/or a computer program product are operative to improve thefunctionality and operation of particulate collection and analysis.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a dynamic or static random access memory(RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EPROM or Flash memory), a magnetic storage device, a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present embodiments may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like,and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server or cluster of servers. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including,for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gatearrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute thecomputer readable program instructions by utilizing state information ofthe computer readable program instructions to personalize the electroniccircuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present embodiments.

Aspects of the present embodiments are described herein with referenceto flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments.It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrationsand/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computerreadable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or blockdiagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions,which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing thespecified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, thefunctions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in thefigures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, beexecuted substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes beexecuted in the reverse order, depending upon the functionalityinvolved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagramsand/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the blockdiagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by specialpurpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions oracts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computerinstructions.

It will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments have beendescribed herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments.In particular, the components for collect and analyze particular are notlimited to placement and positioning within an enclosure or an aspiratedenclosure. The components and associated processing may be carried outby different computing platforms or across multiple devices.Furthermore, the analysis may be localized, remote, or spread acrossmultiple systems. The image capture device may come in different forms,including but not limited to, a detector, a digital imaging sensor, aspectral imaging device, and any sensor or device configured to capturefluid flow and associated particulate matter. Accordingly, the scope ofprotection of these embodiments is limited only by the following claimsand their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a body comprising: aninlet in fluid communication with an outlet, and a fluid channel adaptedto receive a fluid flow; a capture medium positioned within the body andin communication with the fluid channel, the capture medium configuredto acquire a particulate; an image capture device positioned relative tothe capture medium, the image capture device configured to analyzeparticulate acquired by the medium; and a modifiable component incommunication with the capture medium, the component configured toposition the capture medium relative to the fluid channel and the imagecapture device; a feeder positioned relative to the body, the feederconfigured to feed the capture medium across the modifiable component;and a control system in communication with the body, the control systemconfigured to dynamically adjust the modifiable component responsive tothe acquired and analyzed particulate.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a computer image algorithm operatively coupled to theimage capture device, the algorithm configured to gather particulatedata selected from the group consisting of: particulate count, speciesidentification, and combinations thereof.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the body further comprises a fluid flow apparatus, and thecontrol system configured to modify a setting of the fluid flowapparatus and adjust a rate of the fluid flow across the fluid channel.4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the control systemconfigured to modify a physical position of the modifiable component,including a position change of the capture medium.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising the control system configured to adjust arate feed rate of the feeder.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a recorder operatively coupled to the body, the recorderconfigured to physically apply indicia to the capture medium and createa physical recordation of the particulate.
 7. A computer systemcomprising: a processing unit operatively coupled to memory; a systemand system components in communication with the processing unit, and acontrol system operatively coupled to the system and system components,the system configured to collect particulate matter, the systemcomprising: an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet, and a fluidchannel adapted to receive a fluid flow; a capture medium positionedwithin the body and in communication with the fluid channel, the capturemedium configured to acquire a particulate; an image capture devicepositioned relative to the capture medium, the image capture deviceconfigured to analyze particulate acquired by the medium; a modifiablecomponent in communication with the capture medium, the componentconfigured to position the capture medium relative to the fluid channeland the image capture device; and a feeder to feed the capture mediumacross the modifiable component; and the control system configured todynamically adjust the modifiable component responsive to the acquiredand analyzed particulate.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the systemfurther comprising a fluid flow apparatus operatively coupled to thecontrol system, and the control system configured to identify an addressof the fluid flow apparatus and to communicate computer programinstructions to the identified address to modify a setting of the fluidflow apparatus and adjust a rate of fluid flow across the fluid channel.9. The system of claim 7, further comprising the control systemconfigured to identify an address of the modifiable component and tocommunicate computer program instructions to the identified address tomodify a physical position of the modifiable component, including aposition change of the capture medium.
 10. The system of claim 7,further comprising the control system configured to identify an addressof the feeder and to communicate computer program instructions to theidentified address to modify a delivery rate of the capture mediumacross the modifiable component.
 11. The system of claim 7, furthercomprising a recorder operatively coupled to the system, the recorderconfigured to physically apply indicia to the capture medium and createa physical recordation of the particulate.
 12. A method comprising:receiving a fluid flow across a fluid channel; positioning a capturemedium in communication with the fluid channel; the capture mediumacquiring particulate matter; positioning an image capture devicerelative to the capture medium; analyzing particulate acquired by themedium; positioning a feeder relative to the fluid channel, the feederconfigured to feed the capture medium across the modifiable component;and dynamically adjusting a modifiable component in communication withthe capture medium responsive to the acquired and analyzed particulate,including positioning the capture medium relative to the fluid channeland the image capture device.
 13. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising a computer image algorithm operatively coupled to the imagecapture device, the algorithm gathering particulate data selected fromthe group consisting of: particulate count, species identification, andcombinations thereof.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising afluid flow apparatus operatively coupled to the fluid channel, andmodifying a setting of the fluid flow apparatus and adjusting a rate ofthe fluid flow across the fluid channel.
 15. The method of claim 12,further comprising modifying a physical position of the modifiablecomponent, including changing a position of the capture medium.
 16. Themethod of claim 12, further comprising adjusting a feed rate of thefeeder responsive to the particulate analysis.
 17. The method of claim12, further comprising physically applying indicia to the capture mediumand creating a physical recordation of the particulate.